Ackerman green gentian
Frasera ackermaniae
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Frasera ackermanae is known only from Uinta County, Utah where it is found in mixed Utah juniper, mountain brush and deseretic scrub communities. Ackerman Green Gentian has four white petals per flower which bloom above a hairless, leafy plant with opposite folded leaves. The flower petals have a purple spot and a gland with white hairs on its margin. These features combined make this plant quite unique and maybe easier to spot when you are searching for it. This species is still incredibly rare and mostly known from a few populations nearby the type locality where it was first described in 2007 and a more recent discovery to the east observed in 2021.
Description
Frasera ackermanae is known only from Uinta County, Utah where it is found in mixed Utah juniper, mountain brush and deseretic scrub communities. Ackerman Green Gentian has four white petals per flower which bloom above a hairless, leafy plant with opposite folded leaves. The flower petals have a purple spot and a gland with white hairs on its margin. These features combined make this plant quite unique and maybe easier to spot when you are searching for it. This species is still incredibly rare and mostly known from a few populations nearby the type locality where it was first described in 2007 and a more recent discovery to the east observed in 2021.
Phenology
Flowers from June to early July
Diagnostic characteristics
This species is regionally unique and not likely confused with any other species in this region and elevation.
Species range
A Uintah Basin endemic, found in Uintah County.
Threats or limiting factors
Threats mainly due to ground disturbance by hikers, grazing and mining and impacts from ongoing drought. Observations in Utah Rare Plant Database reported hiking, drought, and intrinsic rarity as threats (URPD 2025).
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies